Amy Duggar did not hold back when asked what she thinks of her uncle Jim Bob Duggar these days.
During an interview this week for The Viall Files podcast, Amy told hosts Nick Viall and Natalie Joy that she believes the 19 Kids & Counting patriarch is a liar, a possible criminal and basically a monster.
Amy— whose mother Deanna is Jim Bob’s only sibling— stated that, although she and her mom once thought that Jim Bob and his family were the epitome of perfection, their opinions have since changed, given how Jim Bob handled all of the family’s scandals over the years.
“In my opinion, I would think that my mom would probably say no [he’s not a good guy],” Amy said. “She’s been very hurt by him.”
When Nick asked for Amy’s own current opinion of her uncle, and whether or not she would describe him as a “monster,” Amy stated that the description is “probably not far off from” what he is.
During the interview, Amy claimed that Jim Bob has lied to her, as well as their family and TV viewers for years.
“I definitely think that he knows that he’s done wrong,” Amy said. “I do think that. How could you not? How could you sleep at night knowing all the lies you’ve told?”
“…I mean, he’s lied on national television to everyone,” Amy continued. “And it’s just like, come on dude. Give it up. The jig is up, you know? But he’s also the type, I believe, that wants to live in this perfect world, so I think he creates that.”
As for her aunt Michelle, though, Amy says she does cut her a bit of slack, given that Michelle doesn’t have much authority as a woman living by the rules of the family’s religious organization, the IBLP.
“I would give her some grace because I do feel like she doesn’t have a voice,” she said. “I really, truly believe that.”
In addition, Amy stated that, while her uncle Jim Bob has never been investigated by any authorities to her knowledge, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for investigators to poke around in his affairs.
“I do, in my opinion, believe that there could be some things that he could definitely be looked at for,” Amy said, adding that the IBLP in general is a “breeding ground for all kinds of crimes.”
Amy did throw her uncle a bone during the interview, though, telling Nick and Natalie that she believes that Jim Bob started doing “19 Kids & Counting” with good intentions…but things went astray after the fame and money hit.
“I really do believe that, I do,” she said. “I think he was like, ‘[the show] is a ministry. We’re going to show the good of people and all that,'” she said, adding that once the Duggars became rich and famous from the show, Jim Bob became more corrupt.
“Money does that to almost anyone if you don’t keep it in check, right?” she said. “All the perks that were coming in: the invites and the first class tickets…reality TV isn’t real. But I think it can really warp your mind…money became his fascination and it just kept on growing and growing and growing.”
You can watch Amy’s full interview with The Viall Files below.
(Photos: TLC; Instagram)
4 Responses
was there a reason she was on the vial files? like what’s the point of her being there?? because besides what she said about having a bit more grace for josh, she gave us nothing and i could only understand if she was on to promote something but this seems like a filler episode or something
Wait! Josh? It says Michelle got the grace?
I cannot stand this person. She will do anything to keep what little of the limelight she can muster on her. Remember when Amy was going to be a country music singer? Her only schick is and has always been either supporting or hating on her uncle and his family.
Another pathetic attempt to stay in the limelight by saying absolutely nothing new.